The National Grid

• The National Grid is a system of cables and transformers that distribute electricity from power stations to homes and businesses across the country.
• Power stations generate electricity at a relatively low voltage, which is then stepped up to a high voltage for transmission across the grid. This is to reduce power loss due to resistance in the cables.
• Transformers are used at both ends of the journey - to increase the voltage for transmission and to decrease it again for domestic or commercial use.
• The grid is an interconnected system, which means if one power station fails, other power stations can increase their output to compensate. This makes the system reliable.
• The National Grid responds to changes in demand throughout the day. For example, during television commercial breaks, demand can spike as large numbers of people use electrical appliances. Power stations have to quickly respond to these changes.
• Renewable energy sources, such as wind farms and solar panels, also feed electricity into the grid but their output can be variable depending on weather conditions.
• Energy is lost as heat during transmission in the National Grid. Increasing the voltage reduces these losses, making transmission more efficient.
• The safety of the National Grid is paramount since it deals with high voltages. As such, people are advised to avoid pylons, substations and overhead power lines.
• The National Grid aims to balance supply and demand in real-time, directing power to where it is needed most.
• The introduction of smart grids, which use digital technology to monitor and manage the transport of electricity from multiple generation sources, is improving efficiency and reducing costs in the National Grid.
• Although most of the energy in the National Grid comes from fossil fuel power stations, the UK is working towards increasing the proportion that comes from renewable sources to reduce carbon emissions.